"Endgame" (sometimes stylized as ENDGAME) is the twelfth studio album by American thrash metal band Megadeth. Produced by Dave Mustaine and Andy Sneap, it was released through Roadrunner Records on September 15, 2009. This album marks the debut of guitarist Chris Broderick, who replaced Glen Drover following his departure in 2008. It was also the band's last studio album with bassist James LoMenzo until he rejoined for 2022's The Sick, The Dying, and The Dead, as original bassist David Ellefson rejoined the band several months after Endgame was released.
The album contains eleven tracks, with lyrics inspired by various themes including The Lord of the Rings, the Great Recession of 2008, and topics such as insanity, torture, and crime. Two singles were released: "Head Crusher" and "The Right to Go Insane," with "Head Crusher" receiving a Grammy nomination for "Best Metal Performance" in 2010. Endgame debuted at number nine on the Billboard 200 and reached number one on the U.S. Top Hard Rock Albums chart. As of April 2011, it had sold approximately 150,000 copies in the U.S. The album was well-received by critics, continuing the success of the band's previous release, United Abominations (2007). It won two Metal Storm Awards in 2009: Best Thrash Metal Album and Biggest Surprise, and was also awarded Best Album in Burrn! magazine's 2009 Readers' Poll.
On May 27, 2009, Dave Mustaine, frontman and guitarist of Megadeth, confirmed that twelve songs were complete and the group was in the mixing and mastering phase of the record. A preview of Endgame was provided through a six-minute video in which producer Andy Sneap discussed the mixing process of the track "Head Crusher" at his studio in Derbyshire, England. Sneap described the upcoming album as "old-school."
Endgame was recorded at the band's studio, Vic's Garage, in San Marcos, California. The initial track listing was revealed on July 2, 2009, but several track titles were later shortened for the final release. The album was produced by Andy Sneap, who also produced Megadeth's previous album, United Abominations.
Mustaine described the album as fast, heavy, and riff-oriented, with a mix of singing, yelling, speaking, and guest voices, though not necessarily singing in the traditional sense. He noted that the album featured insane soloing and was less melodic compared to the band's mid-to-late 90s material. Mustaine utilized old rehearsal tapes as a starting point for the album. During recording, the band engaged with fans through online chats on their website, which, according to Mustaine, helped maintain the band's enthusiasm.
